Ohio Legislator Files Two Marijuana Legalization Proposals

Representative Robert Hagan of Youngstown introduced House Joint Resolution 6 and House Bill 153, which call for decriminalizing the recreational and medical use of marijuana.

Like Colorado’s Amendment 64, House Joint Resolution 6 would allow Ohioans 21 and older to possess, purchase, and cultivate marijuana for recreational purposes. House Bill 153, on the other hand, seeks to legalize medical cannabis for people with severe conditions.

Hagan believes that America’s “war on drugs” is lost when it comes to marijuana. He said many people are ending up in jail for marijuana use when they should be receiving treatment.

“With billions upon billions spent on the war on drugs with little progress to show for it, it is time for more sensible drug policy in this country,” Rep. Hagan told WTAM 1100.

Hagan added that if marijuana is taxed like alcohol, the revenue “could go a long way in restoring cuts to public education and our local governments.”

For people with debilitating conditions, legalizing cannabis is seen as a sort of relief so they can at least function well enough in their daily lives. If House Joint Resolution 6 is passed, qualified patients will have to be registered with the Ohio Department of Health and receive a prescription from their physicians that states their condition merits the use of medical marijuana.

“In addition to the studies that show marijuana to be a valuable treatment option for chronic pain, nausea and seizure disorders, I have heard countless stories of how cannabis has made a difference in the lives of people who are sick or dying,” Hagan said. “This is an issue that receives overwhelming support from Americans – Democrats, Republicans and Independents. It is time for Ohio to pass medicinal marijuana and stop punishing people who are sick and in pain.”

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The "War on Marijuana" has been a complete and utter failure. It is the largest component of the broader yet equally unsuccessful "War on Drugs" that has cost our country over a trillion dollars. Instead of The United States wasting Billions of more dollars fighting a never ending "War on Marijuana", lets generate Billions of dollars and improve the deficit instead. It's a no brainer.

Those whom profit from our current prison for profit system will do and say anything to prevent marijuana legalization. They will also attempt to throw up as many obstacles, hurdles, and road blocks to marijuana legalization as they possibly can. These people have a vested interest in keeping marijuana illegal.

The Prohibition of Marijuana has also ruined the lives of many of our loved ones. In numbers greater than any other nation, our loved ones are being sent to prison and are being given permanent criminal records, which ruin their chances of employment for the rest of their lives, and for what reason?

Marijuana is way safer, and healthier to consume than alcohol. Yet do we lock people up for choosing to drink? It is also safer than tobacco, caffeine, even aspirin. Marijuana is the safest and healthiest recreational substance known to man.

Even The President of the United States himself has used marijuana. Has it hurt his chances at succeeding in life? If he had gotten caught by the police during his college years, he may have very well still been in jail today! Beyond that, he would then be fortunate to even be able to find a minimum wage job that would consider hiring him with a permanent criminal record. Let's end this hypocrisy now!

The government should not attempt to legislate morality because it simply does not work and costs us a fortune.

Marijuana Legalization Nationwide is an inevitable reality that's approaching much sooner than prohibitionists think and there is nothing they can do to stop it!

Legalize Nationwide! Support Each and Every Marijuana Legalization Initiative!

My name is Johnny Finch, I suffer from a rare muscle disease that causes severe chronic pain that I've had to deal with everyday for over 3 years now, I'm 16 years old. This pain forced me to stop going to public school and switch to online classes. This pain has caused irreversible damage to me both physically and mentally. And this pain forced me to brake the law. I have self medicate everyday for the past year so that I can live a normal teenage life. I can now hang out with my friends, sleep through the night, do things around the house like mow the lawn and tend to the garden. I was charged last year with possession and paraphernalia for self medicating. My drivers license was suspended for 6 months although I was not in a vehicle or had been operating one at any time during the day because at the time I was 15. I don't want to be persecuted for wanting to live a normal life and not be in pain all the time. Please help me by voting for the medical legalization of marijuana. Thank you all.

Marijuana is the safest drug with actual benefits for the user as opposed to alcohol which is dangerous, causes addiction, birth defects, and affects literally every organ in the body. Groups are organizing all over the country to speak their minds on reforming pot laws. I drew up a very cool poster featuring Uncle Willie Nelson and The Teapot Party for the cause which you can check out on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/01/vote-teapot-2011.html Drop in and let me know what you think!